Avast WEBforum
Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: Vlk on March 25, 2005, 04:52:28 PM
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Hi guys & gals, here we go again. After two weeks of v4.6.623, some new bugs have been found and an update is coming soon. It's my pleasure to announce the public availability of a pre-release version of this update. Please use it especially if you're having any kind of problems with the existing build (4.6.623). Your feedback is essential to us.
How to install it: simply download and run the following program: http://files.avast.com/files/beta/aswbeta.exe . That's about all it takes.
The fixes in this release include
- some more ZoneAlarm-privacy-control-related problems
- WebShield-related freezes on startup (resulting in no web access until WebShield is restarted)
- improved scanning of archives (including handling of corrupted archives)
and other.
Of course, this version also includes the ashWebSv patch that was floating around this forum recently.
Please make sure to post your respective comments about this release either directly to this thread or (even better) by starting a new one.
Thanks :)
Vlk
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Thanks Vlk, you guys are working just like bees. Every single day when I think, this is it... no more surprises, Alwil overdo itself again and again.
Keep up good programming guys and...
Thanks for everything !!!
Sasha
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Thanks, downloading it now.
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Got it loaded it tested it with ZAPro and I can now have privacy cookies at high and ad blocking at medium with no problems. Although I now realise that I didn't need those functions anyhow :P cheers guys your the best
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Vlk, stange, for me I receive error that I don't have the rights to update ::)
25.03.2005 18:18:45 registry: ERROR!:Cannot access registry HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\avastTestService, error code: 0x00000002
25.03.2005 18:18:45 general: Err:Not enough user rights to continue.
Of course, I'm the Administrator here... Well, I thought I were ;D
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Is this a message from the avast updater?
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Is this a message from the avast updater?
Yes... running ashBeta.exe, allowing to connect the Internet through the firewall, few seconds after I receive this error message.
Copy & paste the last part of it...
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I already found an error a completely substantial, where does not avast any longer reacted!!! At the attitude update details.... one can pressure the Button detail, but then it hangs itself up avast completely erbaermlich and can be only shot because that program does not let close any longer. That should be changed as soon as possible!
second error found!!! The HTTP scanner does not function!!! I placed these on "highly", but does not react, to nothing. As if would be turned off. Must be fixed as soon as possible!!!
well great third error, leaves itself avast any longer does not deinstallieren.... hey people that kanns to be!!! >:(
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Faith, please, try to cool down a little.
What exactly do you press? What operating system do you have? How did you find out that it doesn't work?
Regarding the first question - didn't some additional window open in background, without switching focus, for example?
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the details Button in the attitudes does not function, if one wants to know the Update's detail, concerning PushUpdates! If I click this detail Button, freezes avast totally and it can be adjusted to nothing more, away-clicked geschweige. One can only shoot it, over the task manager and ms is pleased again about senseless error messages. I have Win XP SP2
furthermore should insert please a Deinstallationsroutine to it!
still which is, however now not because of the beta. The HTTP scanner reacted with jpegs with the new FF 1,02 no more, tested cannot with http://www.nod32.de/news/article.php?article_file=1096665127.txt
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still which is, however now not because of the beta. The HTTP scanner reacted with jpegs with the new FF 1,02 no more, tested cannot with http://www.nod32.de/news/article.php?article_file=1096665127.txt
It worked fine for me web shield alerted me to the jpeg exploit.
You might want to bookmark this link http://babelfish.altavista.com/, I used it to translate the nod32.de page. It may help you give more information on your problem.
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Well, Faith cool down a little bit dude. I haven't noticed even one single problem you mentioned up there... so no need for all those exclamation points. Better tell us how many other antiviruses you have installed and running in the same time on your system... ;)
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Well, Faith cool down a little bit dude. I haven't noticed even one single problem you mentioned up there... so no need for all those exclamation points. Better tell us how many other antiviruses you have installed and running in the same time on your system... ;)
I only avast! on my computer run, otherwise nothing.
still which is, however now not because of the beta. The HTTP scanner reacted with jpegs with the new FF 1,02 no more, tested cannot with http://www.nod32.de/news/article.php?article_file=1096665127.txt
It worked fine for me web shield alerted me to the jpeg exploit.
You might want to bookmark this link http://babelfish.altavista.com/, I used it to translate the nod32.de page. It may help you give more information on your problem.
Hello David, this message comes with me unfortunately not, but only down at the task border that avast! which found, those are red long lines, more not.
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Faith,
1. What about the eicar test file, does it trigger an alert?
2. What firewall are you using?
PS. It would be very nice if you could always post one article only (maybe editing it if you forgot to say something) - the way you're doing it now, the thread grows and is much harder to read.
Thanks, :)
Vlk
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Vlk, surprise, my installation does not upgrade to 635 :o :o
I'm receiving the same error for user rights and after boot, the same 623 :'(
Can I manually change my servers.dat file?
I promisse I did nothing, I'm not guilty ;D
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Faith,
1. What about the eicar test file, does it trigger an alert?
2. What firewall are you using?
PS. It would be very nice if you could always post one article only (maybe editing it if you forgot to say something) - the way you're doing it now, the thread grows and is much harder to read.
Thanks, :)
Vlk
Hello Vlk, now up once reacted avast! on eicars... lay to it that I with the Firefox, which Cache had not emptied. As Firewall I use the Windowseigene and one rout by AVM, the DSL Fritz box Phone As the further safety software I use ewido and the ms Antispyware. More not. I will again test and will look the beta, what rauskommt thereby. Which I had before I ewido drauf had, this Panda TruePrevent drauf had, perhaps was it because of which bit itself there which. Nevertheless I wish myself a Deinstallationsroutine in the program and not necessarily in the system control.
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Hi Faith!
Hinweis: Die Testmöglichkeiten auf dieser Seite ermöglichen die Überprüfung der Funktion Ihres NOD32 Antivirus. Sie dienen nicht der Gewinnung von Aussagen darüber, ob Ihr System die JPEG-Sicherheitslücke aufweist oder nicht.
Quelle: / Source: http://www.nod32.de/news/article.php?article_file=1096665127.txt
Saying this files is only a test file for NOD32 Antivirus, to check if it is working correctly! Nothing less, nothing more :)
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Vlk, sorry, the update trouble was due to the changed name of the avast service.
I disable my protection of that service and then I got the update :)
Everything is working fine 8)
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Hi,
Is this versoin will take less memory than the previous one and is the skin problem (not downloading default skin when they are removed) will be solved ?
Bye
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Problem with the Net Shield...
I can't start the provider :(
The error message is similar to: "The specified provider failed".
What's going on?
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Problem with Web Mail:
If I use an email client, everything works, I can get and send mail.
If I try to logon into the webmail page (an http that, after writting the name and password, is redirected to a https) I can't...
Only disabling WebShield provider...
It's strange, all other sites can connect...
If I add the site address to the exclusion list (the http one) it does not help... The https could not be added, as far I know... :'(
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Problem with Web Mail:
...
If I try to logon into the webmail page (an http that, after writting the name and password, is redirected to a https) I can't...
Only disabling WebShield provider...
It's strange, all other sites can connect...
If I add the site address to the exclusion list (the http one) it does not help... The https could not be added, as far I know... :'(
:-[ that's sad. Which webpage (URL) is this, Technical? thanks. lukas
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Problem with the Net Shield...
I can't start the provider :(
The error message is similar to: "The specified provider failed".
What's going on?
pk sent me an email:
Hello, please write me the exact error message (isn't there sth like AAVM string ???)
Here is the error...
But pk, don't be angry with me, I think it's related to ProcessGuard :(
Why was this the only provider to be locked? ???
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:-[ that's sad. Which webpage (URL) is this, Technical? thanks. lukas
http://mail.terra.com.br/
The 'last' option is sent you the email account settings by email :-\
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Technical,
- Did you try to uninstall processguard already?
- Did you have processguard installed even with the previous version of avast, when everything was working allright?
Thanks
Vlk
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- Did you try to uninstall processguard already?
No. And I won't try... It's not necessary. You can disable it.
Again, sorry, the Script Blocker is working. I just can't imagine why it was the only provider 'disabled' by ProcessGuard... ???
- Did you have processguard installed even with the previous version of avast, when everything was working allright?
No, I did not. It's a new installation. 8)
Problem now is only the login at that Web Mail provider...
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Sorry VLK,
but this thread has convinced me that I am not confident enough with 625 to install it.
623 is running as fine as can be. I believe in......
If it isn't broke...don't fix it. ;D
I'm sure that the little flaws in 625 will be fixed.
Your efforts are greatly appreciated.
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This pre-release 635 version seemed to fix the [SYN] packet loss in WS I had while using FireFox. The old version lost a second [SYN] packet connection so some "302" redirect pages didn't work properly. Thanks for the fix.
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What's the status of the pre-release now? Are there any updates planned?
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Was 4.6.639 released ?
What's new ? ;D
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I have the same question
Is there any 4.6.635 or 4.6.639 version???
I use 4.6.623 now. How can update it?
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Green Dragon
Update from 4.6.623
Download and run the following program will update to beta 4.6.635
http://files.avast.com/files/beta/aswbeta.exe
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Ok! I run it just now!
Thank's for your help!
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Version 4.6.639 is still beta.
As for the changes - they were only small, related to handling of some packers. Specifically, I fixed the ZOO archive support (which seems to have been broken for quite some time).
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anges - they were only small, related to handling of some packers. Specifically, I fixed the ZOO archive support (which seems to have been broken for quite some time).
Igor,
A little of topic, if we have archives that avast does not currently support, is there somewere we can send them so they can be added?
Thanks
--lee
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I don't think that is necessary. I know there are hundreds of archive formats that avast! doesn't support, and probably never will. It is certainly useful to handle the most common formats, but it's probably not worth spending time on adding every rare archive (not speaking of the negative effects, such as slowing down the scanning, taking more memory, etc). Besides, submitting a file of unsupported format doesn't really tell us how to unpack it (unless you submit a detailed format description as well ;D).
Of course, you may post a suggestion of what format you would like to see, if you wish.
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I don't think that is necessary. I know there are hundreds of archive formats that avast! doesn't support, and probably never will. It is certainly useful to handle the most common formats, but it's probably not worth spending time on adding every rare archive (not speaking of the negative effects, such as slowing down the scanning, taking more memory, etc). Besides, submitting a file of unsupported format doesn't really tell us how to unpack it (unless you submit a detailed format description as well ;D).
OK, fair enough.
Of course, you may post a suggestion of what format you would like to see, if you wish.
Igor, I have a .exe file with same malware inside it which i downloaded (says its a screensaver >:(), but avast doesn't support the file format (this is why i asked if there is somewhere i can send an unsupported file format), so have you any ideas on how to go about identifying the file format, i tried the jotti scanner but it could identify the packer/format of the file.
Thanks
--lee
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It depends on whether it's just an executable packer, or an installer.
For executable packers, I recommend PEiD tool. For installers, I'm not sure... TrID maybe.
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Hi igor, it was a installer,
'TRID' says its "Win32 Executable Generic", so is there anyway this format can be added?
--lee
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I'm afraid this message means that the actual format was not recognized (if it was a well-known installer at all).
In any case, I would say... "not at the moment".
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With this beta I've to set my browser to use the proxy (localhost:12080) if I want to also use Ad Muncher :(
In the stable version I don't need this...
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Is there a date on which the beta will become final?
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Green Dragon
Update from 4.6.623
Download and run the following program will update to beta 4.6.635
http://files.avast.com/files/beta/aswbeta.exe
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For all practical intents and purposes, I'm a "newbie" when it comes to this technical stuff about Avast (or any other resident-memory software)... Do you have to uninstall your present version of Avast! before running this file? I have no experience with beta releases, as I tend to steer clear of them (knowing they can potentially cause other problems which only knowledgeable geeks can handle). ;)
But I'm (also) a ZoneAlarm (basic) user who has been experiencing restricted access to websites since late February. :( Yahoo mail, Hotmail, the online game I play, WheresGeorge.com -- just about any website that requires cookies (especially where you login with username/password); I can log in but get logged right back out again the first navigational link clicked (also preferences are not remembered). Sometimes it won't allow you to log in at all -- websites spit back standard error message about the browser not accepting cookies, which I know is false because I've had the privacy and security settings (in I.E.) on "Accept all cookies" even and it STILL doesn't work. >:( Also ashWebSv.exe is listed in ZA with green checkmarks under access permissions. I've tried using an alternative browser (Opera), but it also encounters the same cookie block. My sister is using the same two programs with similar problems (she can't get into Yahoo or her favorite user/pwd. medical site either, which she is paying for).
I'm surprised (in fact) that I have remained logged in to this forum site -- I guess I'll see what happens when I hit the Post button... If I turn Zone Alarm off the problem stops; but I don't want to risk being online without a firewall (or with the security settings dumbed down) -- that defeats the whole purpose. I don't understand about the localhost/proxy 12080 thing -- that workaround sounds pretty complicated; as don't you have to reconfigure all your internet programs with those settings in order for them to work? What else does a proxy setup affect?
I'm surprised that more hasn't been posted about this in either Avast or Zonealarm's forums, as I'm sure that there's a lot of people who are using the two programs together; plus it also seems to affect those running ZoneAlarm Pro in a similar way. If this problem doesn't clear up soon, I'll have to find an alternative to either ZoneAlarm or Avast. :( I'm hoping it doesn't come to that though. I have installed Avast on a half-dozen computers (or more) for friends and family -- my sister is your biggest fan, in fact 8); and we've never experienced a problem until now.
Churchmouse
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2.4 GHZ P4 running WinXP Home w/SP2, 512 MB, Avast! 4.6.623; ZoneAlarm Basic 5.5.062.011
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Shortly... No, you don't have to uninstall avast! prior upgrading to beta version. Just run beta installer, and everything will be OK. You may need to reset your system after update is done, but I'm sure avast! will warn you.
Cheers !
Edit: Those problems with proxies should have been solved with latest few beta updates if I'm not wrong. You don't have to touch your proxy settings, just update your avast! to latest beat release.
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Ok, thanks, I'll try that then. :)
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OK, give it a try, and don't worry... no reported problems with latest beta release. I test every single beta since Alwil started to release them, and I can just say, this one is stable as a rock. ;D
Keep us updated...
Cheers !
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Update completed to version 4.6.639. However there has unfortunately been no change in my computer's behavior. :( In addition I got auto-logged out of this forum and so in order to post this, I have placed Avast's domain in ZA's Trusted Zone list (hope that's ok). I'd rather not go that route for Yahoo.com for obvious reasons; besides which it was my understanding that the Trusted designation was mostly reserved for computers & connected peripherals (scanners, printers) on a local network. *.sigh* It's been most puzzling, not to mention frustrating. I have both my privacy and security sliders in I.E. (6.0) set on Medium.
This is the message I got when first attempting to update my user profile here on your forums:
An Error Has Occurred!
The user whose profile you are trying to view does not exist.
This is the error received from Yahoo Mail server:
Your login session has expired.
Why does my session expire?
Login sessions expire for two reasons.
For your security, your Yahoo! Mail session expires a maximum of twenty-four hours after you have logged in. If you have chosen in your Yahoo! User Information (found be visiting "My Account" next to the Yahoo! Mail logo at the top of this page) to be prompted for a password more frequently than every day, your session will expire after the specified amount of time.
If you do not accept the cookies set on login or your computer is not configured to accept cookies, your session will expire almost immediately. We use cookies (small pieces of site information) to assist us in user authentication and in saving configuration information. Cookies are required for Yahoo! Mail.
If you see this message immediately after logging in, you should check the following:
Check to see that your computer system time is accurate. Cookies are time sensitive and may not work if your computer date is incorrect by a large amount.
Make sure that your browser is configured to accept cookies or that you agree to accept cookies during the login process.
Turn off any third party programs or control panels that automatically reject cookies.
I've noticed that although I have access, web navigation is somewhat slow, plus it often "hangs" and I have to stop and refresh a page in order to force it to appear. It's slow even considering that I'm stuck on 28K dialup (due to archaic phone lines, not my modem). If it's any help with diagnosis, this problem seemed to appear gradually around mid-late February and then escalated to where the login cookies were expired almost immediately. I have scanned for viruses, trojans and spyware (using WindowsSecurity.com online scanner, Ad-Aware and Spybot S&D) but found nothing. :-\ Any other suggestions?
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Do you have any other third party cookies blocker or something like that installed on your system ?
Did you try completely terminating all avast! providers ? Try that (just temporary) and see if your problem is still there... any changes ? That way, you'll go by the system of elimination...
What are other security programs you have installed and running on your system ?
Cheers !
Alwil ? Any thoughts on this one ?
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A quick update to the situation:
Do you have any other third party cookies blocker or something like that installed on your system ?
Nothing except for the I.E. 6 SP2 Pop-up Blocker -- and it's set on Low (allow secure site popups). I don't think this has anything to do with the problem though.
Did you try completely terminating all avast! providers ? Try that (just temporary) and see if your problem is still there... any changes ? That way, you'll go by the system of elimination...
Tried that, too. Went back to Yahoo.com, recieved the "login session has expired" error, then shut down Avast. Logged back in and navigated several links with no noticeable delays or other problems. But as soon as I re-enabled it, I was back on the outside looking in, lol. Same results at www.wheresgeorge.com. Seems like they'll function with either ZoneAlarm or Avast in the background, but not both. :(
I also had to disable Avast to stay logged into this forum long enough to post, despite it being in the Trusted Sites on ZA... It worked earlier a few hrs. ago -- I'm not sure why it's not working now. ???
What are other security programs you have installed and running on your system ?
Let's see...Windows SP2 ICF is disabled (as per instructions from MS and ZoneAlarm)... Just the Spybot S&D and Ad-Aware -- nothing in the resident tasks -- i.e., they only run manually offline when needed.
Thanks for taking the time to help with this. Avast! is an excellent program and I don't regret recommending it to our local pc shop techie -- he wrote a very supportive review in our county newspaper a few months back btw. 8)
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A quick update to the situation:
Nothing except for the I.E. 6 SP2 Pop-up Blocker -- and it's set on Low (allow secure site popups). I don't think this has anything to do with the problem though.
Pop-up blocker has nothing to do with it and I didn't even mention it... see here:
Do you have any other third party cookies blocker or something like that installed on your system ?
I mentioned third party Cookies blocker. Cookies are far different from pop-ups, actually nothing incomon. If you have some Cookie cashing blocker or something similar, it could be the core of your problem... but, on the other hand, it doesn't have to be...
I wrote:
Did you try completely terminating all avast! providers ? Try that (just temporary) and see if your problem is still there... any changes ? That way, you'll go by the system of elimination...
You wrote:
Tried that, too. Went back to Yahoo.com, recieved the "login session has expired" error, then shut down Avast. Logged back in and navigated several links with no noticeable delays or other problems. But as soon as I re-enabled it, I was back on the outside looking in, lol. Same results at www.wheresgeorge.com. Seems like they'll function with either ZoneAlarm or Avast in the background, but not both. :(
I'm not sure about that one... I use avast! Professional and Zone Alarm Free and I never ever experienced problems with staying logged in, in any other forum. Did you checked those preferences (settings) or whatever they have on that web site, where you can choose and set your preference like: stay logged forever, stay loged 60 minutes, stay logged in 346 ;D minutes, log me off as soon as I exit forum and stuff like that ? Maybe, it's somewhere in the settings. I know you didn't change anything yourself, but it could be that they changed forum engine or some default settings are all of a sudden set to different values... sorry, but I'm just trying to cover every single possible thing... especially, because you mentioned that those problems started all of a sudden. Also, it could be that something poped-out with few latest avast! updates. That's why I asked for Alwil's opinion. I want this problem to be solved as soon as possible. C'mon Alwil, at least to hear from you... lady needs out attention and she needs to solve this issue ! I'm not saying avast! is 100% causing this... but we have to check every single possible situation, and then we can search for workaround. If we work together, we can beat this problem Alwil !
You wrote:
I also had to disable Avast to stay logged into this forum long enough to post, despite it being in the Trusted Sites on ZA... It worked earlier a few hrs. ago -- I'm not sure why it's not working now. ???
That's why I already mentioned those forum settings. When you are logging into this forum for example... (see attached picture), you'll always get option to choose if you want to be logged in just temporary, or longer time of period or maybe if you prefer, forewer (actually, as long as those cookies are "alive" and not erased from your cookies cache). I'm sure you know about that one, but as I said before, just checking...
I wrote:
What are other security programs you have installed and running on your system ?
You wrote:
Let's see...Windows SP2 ICF is disabled (as per instructions from MS and ZoneAlarm)... Just the Spybot S&D and Ad-Aware -- nothing in the resident tasks -- i.e., they only run manually offline when needed.
Well, even if you leave SP2 firewall enabled you shouldn't have problems at all. It will never ever interfere with ZA or any other "normal" extra firewall you have instaledl on your system. It's little suspicious though, why would MS ever recommend disabling their firewall in situations like this... it is not the cause of these problems, I am sure.
You wrote:
Thanks for taking the time to help with this. Avast! is an excellent program and I don't regret recommending it to our local pc shop techie -- he wrote a very supportive review in our county newspaper a few months back btw. 8)
No problem, I am glad to help if I can, but it looks like we both are stuck on this one... I repeat... we need to hear professional opinion form one of Alwil guys. They have great knowledge, I am sure they are very busy with all these question in forum, and also working on future releases of avast! and other products, but this lady needs our help.
Let's be gentlemans like we are !
Thanks everybody !
Regards !
Sasha
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Hi,
I am sorry to admit, but this indeed seems like a problem with Zone Alarm and avast Web Shield. Every once someone reports a problem with logging into Yahoo mail accounts or something like that with Zone Alarm and although we have several installations of ZA in our test labs it's almost impossible to reproduce it. Finally we were able to describe the problem and are in contact with Zone Labs support team - or to be more precise, we have contacted them, got a brief response and now they are taking their time.
The thing is that Zone Alarm **sometimes** gets confused by Web Shield proxy and considers all cookies to be 3rd party cookies and blocks them. Many times it's also corrupts it's own rule database - no matter avast is installed or not.
You can get more info and suggested workaround in our Web Shield FAQ here:
http://www.avast.com/eng/webshield_issues.html#idt_6871
Generally speaking - it helps to turn cookie blocking off, or to turn it off for Internet Explorer and turn in on for Web Shield (Avast! Web Scanner) or as a last resort turn the Web Shield off. (if the proxy setup seems to be too complicated to you). All this will help!
Believe me, we are constantly working on this issue and I even have bad dreams about this dreaded firewall. Most of the updates were trying to target this problem and most of the time it seemed to be successful. Now we are kind of waiting for the Zone Labs response :'(
Good night.
Lukas.
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Thanks Lucas, you're wonderful !!!
I knew someone will see this thread and respond. You did it and I thank you in the name of Churchmouse and my own name. Well... what can we do... I guess we have to wait for ZoneLabs respond and in the mean time, Churchmouse can try to follow your advices to solve her problems at least temporary.
Just one question... are those problems affecting just ZoneAlarm Pro or Home version is also in this story ? How come I never experienced similar problems ?
Thanks again !
Sasha
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I know this is like an off-topic here: only I want to say that I had ZA 2 years ago working with NAV... what a disaster!!! uninstalled NAV, I tried McAfee: THE SAME!!! Then (desperated) tried free/evaluation versions of Kaspersky, AVG etcetera. Well, only when I have uninstalled ZA all is turned almost normal. I remember also when 1 malware (I don't remember the name) dismantled a part of ZA!!! Some my friends and colleagues have problems with this firewall but they don't see and refuse to hear the true 'cause most of magazines (in italy)says it like the best firewall in the world. Now I use McAfee Personal Firewall Plus and I have no problems at all: no problems after 18 months, great customer service in real time, great configuration options, a fine graphic traceroute/ping to trace attacks, etc. The only invasive option is the Security Center Panel, but it offers a simplified approach for non expert user. Conclusion: kick out ZA!
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The thing is that Zone Alarm **sometimes** gets confused by Web Shield proxy and considers all cookies to be 3rd party cookies and blocks them. Many times it's also corrupts it's own rule database - no matter avast is installed or not.
Lukas, just to report:
Yes, I have problems with GMail + avast + ZA + Maxthon.
Maybe the transition from HTTP to HTTPS is the issue for me.
Now, ZA + local proxy (not WebShield) is bringging trouble from time to time. :-\
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w/o webshield this version works extremely well for me ... when i get time i will check webshield too
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Well, even if you leave SP2 firewall enabled you shouldn't have problems at all. It will never ever interfere with ZA or any other "normal" extra firewall you have instaledl on your system. It's little suspicious though, why would MS ever recommend disabling their firewall in situations like this... it is not the cause of these problems, I am sure.
In the Windows XP Help & Support Center files, it states:
"In Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2), Windows Firewall is turned on by default. (However, some computer manufacturers and network administrators might turn it off.) You do not have to use Windows Firewall—you can install and run any firewall that you choose. Evaluate the features of other firewalls and then decide which firewall best meets your needs. If you choose to install and run another firewall, turn off Windows Firewall." (emphasis added)
So I did. I figured they had a reason for saying that -- perhaps possible conflicts (similar to what we are encountering now) between programs. Besides which, everything I've read regarding SP2 firewall indicates it's a lightweight that doesn't provide much protection, just "better than nothing".
Thanks both Lukas and Sasha for trying your best to help. :) I've never used a proxy server and so I have no idea how to set one up. I barely understand the concept of what a proxy is, even (just from discussion context). I've noticed that various programs (i.e., AOL Instant Messenger) have referred to proxies in their troubleshooting help files as a source of potential problems when trying to get things connected/working.
I noticed your post at ZA's forum earlier this month, Lukas, and although I'm disappointed the techs there haven't responded, I'm not surprised. They have their own AV software they wish to promote and Avast! is taking away from that; so they're probably not all that concerned about program compatibility problems. :( I could be wrong though -- I hope so.
About the forum login, yes, I did notice that you could set the time to expire (cookies) whenever you wanted. I think I set it at 6 hrs. the first login and then to remain logged on subsequent sign-ins; but it doesn't matter. I'm still having to disable Avast to get in here. :( I noticed the webshield was set on High though....would it help to set it back to Normal? If it's set on Custom and is changed (temporarily), will it still retain the custom option settings if moved back to Custom? (because I don't remember what they were).
You wrote "something like that" (re cookies blocker) and so I thought I'd mention the pop-up blocker *just in case* it was even remotely connected....Remember, I'm not a 'techie' here -- I just know how to dowload/install things and work with basic user config options. ;)
But speaking of configuration options, I don't think there's that many controls in ZA Basic. I did have the cookie privacy feature (whatever it was) enabled during the 2-week pro trial; but wouldn't that feature have been automatically nullified when the program reverted back to basic?
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But speaking of configuration options, I don't think there's that many controls in ZA Basic. I did have the cookie privacy feature (whatever it was) enabled during the 2-week pro trial; but wouldn't that feature have been automatically nullified when the program reverted back to basic?
Churchmouse, please see the link with the FAQ. I've prepared there somewhat more detailed instructions where to find those configuration options in ZA.
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You wrote "something like that" (re cookies blocker) and so I thought I'd mention the pop-up blocker *just in case* it was even remotely connected....Remember, I'm not a 'techie' here -- I just know how to dowload/install things and work with basic user config options. ;)
Don't say that... you know more than you want to admit... you're just being modest, that's all. I've noticed that your knowledge is far above the "I'm not a techie". It's just, there is so many things when we speak about computers and software, that no one knows everything... but... but, there is learning feature built in our brains, so we have great oportunity to keep expanding our knowledge.
Lucas is great guy, I'm sure all his advices will lead you to solution of your problem. Just try to follow his advices regarding configuring ZA.
Take care and post back. I am interested to see how this will be solved...
Cheers !
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Chrchmouse
If you choose to install and run another firewall, turn off Windows Firewall." (emphasis added)
I use ZA Pro and have had the MS Firewall on ever since I installed SP2... Many month ago. I've never seen any adverse
effect because of this. :)
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Yes, ZA and SP2 firewall work together as a charm. I also, believe that none of the other well known firewalls would interfere with SP2 Firewall.
IMHO, Microsoft had to add that line ("If you choose to install and run another firewall, turn off Windows Firewall"), just because of all those copyright and software monopoly games... they didn't want those "specialized" firewall/antivirus software houses to think like Microsoft is trying to "steal" their customers, so they mentioned it's good to disable it if you're gonna use some other firewall product.
Cheers !
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Yes, ZA and SP2 firewall work together as a charm. I also, believe that none of the other well known firewalls would interfere with SP2 Firewall.
In fact, Outpost 'automatically' disable SP2 firewall... Try and see (at least the Trial (Pro) version).
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Ok, so at least, additional problems are "killed' in the very beginning... very clever from Agnitum group, very nice thinking. Why to heal something that could have been prevented in the first place...
Cheers !
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Churchmouse, please see the link with the FAQ. I've prepared there somewhat more detailed instructions where to find those configuration options in ZA.
From the "Web Shield Issues FAQ" at http://www.avast.com/eng/webshield_issues.html#idt_6871:
Q: I use Zone Alarm firewall and have troubles logging into my web mail service (Yahoo mail, Hotmail etc.)
A:
The inability to login to Yahoo or Hotmail email services commonly results from the privacy settings in Zone Alarm being set too high. You can do one of the following:
Add Yahoo Mail (mail.yahoo.com) to your site list in the Privacy area. Make sure at least "Session cookies" and "Persistent cookies" are allowed.
or
Turn off Privacy settings (Cookie Control) completely.
Just how do we do this? Color me dull grey, but I've checked all tabs available in Overview, Firewall and Program Control areas of Zone Alarm's program interface, and have seen nothing to this effect. The only settings available in Program Control are Medium, Low and Off. I can't find any reference to "Cookie Control" or Privacy settings.
To turn on "Privacy filtering" for the Web Shield provider:
Open Zone Alarm control panel
Choose Program Control
Choose the tab "Programs"
Find the line with "avast! Web Scanner"
Right click on the process name and choose Options
Check the: "Enable Privacy for this program" checkbox.
Also consider checking the option “Authenticate program by full path name only” on the same dialog.
When I right-click on the process name -- any process name -- the only options available are Remove and Add program... ???
Chrchmouse
If you choose to install and run another firewall, turn off Windows Firewall." (emphasis added)
I use ZA Pro and have had the MS Firewall on ever since I installed SP2... Many month ago. I've never seen any adverse
effect because of this. :)
But, I don't have ZA Pro -- just ZA Basic. I realize that might not have anything to do with program incompatibility, but I'm not sure lukor caught this. He might be referring to control options only available in ZA Pro.
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Well, I don't know what's going on... I sent that previous post, turned Avast back on, and here I am still logged in to the forum. Of course I still have the avast domain listed in ZA's Trusted Sites, but I think it's like Lukas observed earlier, ZA **sometimes** messes up on the cookies (and sometimes not). I'm enjoying the normal operation while it lasts; but I know better than to think I'm out of the woods. :'( Btw, Webshield is running on High setting. I didn't manually set it there ... is that the default, or is it tied to the protection level of the resident on-access Avast scanner? :)
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Oops, I thought that ZA Basic without Privacy control does not have problems with Cookies :'( I'll have to investigate this issues further.
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I'm using the latest ZAPro with Avast 4.6.623 - gmail working. I had the Cookies and Ad blocking turned off.
Hope this helps.
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I have cookie and ad blocking set to medium.
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ok maybe i got little bug ...
v4.6.639 0515-1 Avast! Pro Enhanced User Interface \ Tasks
i have custom made Task of scanning just 1 directory ...
after this task scan finished i close of EUI and then i open EUI again
randomly is this task duplicated (exist twice)
(that meanit uses SAME name as original but pose different date of creation usually of moment of previous scan)
definitely sure I don't use command to duplicate it
any idea what is causing this?
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Yes; your database is set to XML, instead of ODBC (in avast4.ini). Either you set it manually, or the avast4.mdb file got somehow corrupted.
I believe I have already fixed this strange "duplication" (it could have been after build 639 was released) - but in any case, ODBC is better for the Professional version of avast!, because XML database cannot store the results of previous sessions.
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I installed 4.6.635 when it was announced here.
A few days ago I manually invoked program update and it updated me to 4.6.639 - should it have done so?
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Oops, I thought that ZA Basic without Privacy control does not have problems with Cookies :'( I'll have to investigate this issues further.
*Looks hopeful*.... Any progress? :)
My sister and I got some Windows Updates yesterday which seemed to alleviate the problem -- but only for a short time. She was able to log into Yahoo! Mail and her favorite medical username/pwd. site yesterday; but today (again) it is not working. :( Meanwhile I have been able to stay logged in to www.wheresgeorge.com (so far, anyway... *crosses fingers*); but Yahoo Mail!, Photobucket.com and this forum = not at all (unless Avast! disabled). ??? None of the sites are currently listed in ZA's "trusted" zone.
Just for information, my sister is online with a different computer via a DSL connection in a different state -- the only thing we basically have in common is that we're both using Windows XP SP2, Avast! and same version of Zone Alarm (she has the latest automatic upgrade of Avast, however, not the beta). Her laptop is a Compaq while mine's an HP ze5300. She is so frustrated she has emailed the Japanese contact address for Zone Alarm about this problem; although I've tried to explain to her that she's highly unlikely to get their attention (and why). :D
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I installed 4.6.635 when it was announced here.
A few days ago I manually invoked program update and it updated me to 4.6.639 - should it have done so?
Yes it should. Because you initiated the beta update process for 4.6.635 you will get any further beta updates until such times as the beta pre-release goes public. At that time updates revert to normal when you will only receive updates released for the public.
If there is another beta pre-release, people will be informed/invited to participate, they will have to download the beta .exe file and then manually update as you did with 4.6.635.
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She is so frustrated she has emailed the Japanese contact address for Zone Alarm about this problem; although I've tried to explain to her that she's highly unlikely to get their attention (and why). :D
:'( Unfortunately we have not been able to get their attention too. At least know we know the have "logged this as a bug" in their system and will contact us back in several week >:( not too promising.
Anyway we are constantly testing new possible solutions for this - things are really complicated by the fact that Zone Alarm behaves so unpredictably.
In your situation I wonder if it couldn't be something else - as Zone Alarm Basic does not really has the Cookie blocking feature (I did re-check that :P). You can perhaps send me your hijackthis log by email, perhaps we'll find some other (possibly) offending piece of software.
Thanks.
Lukas.
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I've seen HiJackThis mentioned in different forums across the web, but don't know anything about it... Where can I get it, and how do I use it?
Thanks,
Churchmouse
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Get it here - Download HijackThis.zip (http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/files/hijackthis.zip) and HiJackThis Tutorial (http://www.tomcoyote.org/hjt/#introduction)
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Installs here nicely and the web shield crash with Sygate is gone for good, thank you team avast and Lukor as well for his prompt response and suggestion.
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Hmm igor ... i switched to XML because of that constant HDD accessing ... to get rid of ...
also is there possible switch between XML and ODBC where configuration copies too?
because always when i do it i must reconfigure Avast! settings again
will be nice to command/feature transfer all settings from ODBC to XML (and vice versa) ...
any comment?
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Will be nice to command/feature transfer all settings from ODBC to XML (and vice versa) ...
What do you mean, that just changing the storage method and booting you loose all your settings?
Strange... I thought avast! does not work this way...
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Not loose all settings ... they just NOT saved in ODBC beacuse i use XML ...
so in moment i changed back to ODBC ... i'm back to my e.g. 5 week old settings ...
because is acts like "use ODBC settings" not "transfer XML settings to ODBC first then use UDBC settings"
clear? :))
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:'( Unfortunately we have not been able to get their attention too. At least know we know the have "logged this as a bug" in their system and will contact us back in several week >:( not too promising.
Anyway we are constantly testing new possible solutions for this - things are really complicated by the fact that Zone Alarm behaves so unpredictably.
In your situation I wonder if it couldn't be something else - as Zone Alarm Basic does not really has the Cookie blocking feature (I did re-check that :P). You can perhaps send me your hijackthis log by email, perhaps we'll find some other (possibly) offending piece of software.
Thanks.
Lukas.
Ok, I ran the scan and sent the HijackThis log off early this morning -- thanks, DavidR, for the handy site referrals. :) Before running HJT, I emptied I.E.'s browser cache, did error checking and defragged the hard drive, then updated and ran scans of Ad-Aware and Spybot. They didn't find anything outside of some tracking cookies (I didn't get many of those, even, before all these login problems started happening and I had to reset I.E. security/privacy settings to Medium (Default)). :(
I noticed today I am able to stay logged in to Avast forums, but my online email (Yahoo, Mochamail.com) and Where's George? logins aren't working again, except when I disable Avast. Did I understand correctly that Sygate firewall causes Avast's webshield to crash? I'm considering changing firewall to something else, but as I've been with Avast & ZA for almost two years now I'm hesitant to have to start all over learning another program features & interface (not to mention the many newbie friends who have the same setup and barely know how to use their computers, much less manage security issues).
Thanks for your persistence in addressing this problem. I find it interesting that Micro$oft recognizes Avast (SP2's Windows Security Center); but Zone Labs does not. :P
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I find it interesting that Micro$oft recognizes Avast (SP2's Windows Security Center); but Zone Labs does not.
That's because ZA is pushing their own AV package.
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That's because ZA is pushing their own AV package.
Of course, but they recognize Norton, McAfee and some others, do they not? -- why not Avast? Such was the situation with Micro$oft not too long ago; but they finally seemed to realize that not everyone was going to subscribe to the major AV vendors (whom I wouldn't be surprised were giving M$ kickbacks for their 'recommendation' on their site). ;)
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Churchmouse
I've written to ZA have posted numerous times in the ZA forum but everything
in ZA seems to fall on deaf ears.
I've never had that experience with MS.
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Churchmouse
I've written to ZA have posted numerous times in the ZA forum but everything
in ZA seems to fall on deaf ears.
I've never had that experience with MS.
Wow...I sure have. :'( I guess it's partly in knowing where and how to post. The MS "help" site is confusing and imposing to the uninitiated (especially the technobabble inherent in those "white papers") and if you don't have a fast broadband-type connection to navigate it all in a reasonable span of time. You can easily spend hours, days -- even *weeks* looking for information, posting questions, etc. (i.e. if one's online time is limited, like most casual Windows users) and still not resolve your technical issue, which in most cases is related to basic Windows functionality. In my experience, you cannot even get through to MS tech support unless you have credit card in-hand, regardless of the nature of the problem. Have you ever actually emailed MS and gotten a response? (i.e., other than a useless autoresponder); or is it all though limited, awkward online feedback forms and user discussion boards? (i.e. where one doesn't know who/what information is reliable). :-\
I'm sure you're basing your opinion on a longer history/experience and more knowledge to interpret and utilize the information you find; but I'm just clarifying how they appear (promote themselves) to the non-technically savvy geeks and "little people". :)
*realizes this is getting off-topic and apologizes to the forum mods*... Let's take further discussion (if any) of this tangent to PM. I'm sure Lukas and the others will appreciate it -- thanks. :)